Front ball-joint failure?
02-25-04, 12:30 PM
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Front ball-joint failure?
I've been having vibration problems on my '99 GS4 for quite some time that have proven elusive to completely fix.
Someone suggest having the wheels balanced using a load-test balancer, which while twice the price, helped out significantly.
The shop noticed some cupping on the left tires & suggested either alignment or bad shocks as the cause. Since I had ~24k miles on the L-Tuned suspension kit, I knew it wasn't the shocks, so I scheduled an alignment.
They immediately discovered a bad ball-joint on the left front wheel. The wheel could be moved up & down ~1/4 before moving the suspension components. Logically, that would seem to be the cause of my vibration if not wear.
With only 53k miles on the car, would that be a 'common' problem?
Seems unusual....
They said the other(s) were fine.
I ordered the part from Lexus & will have the shop install when it arrives & then perform an alaignment.
Someone suggest having the wheels balanced using a load-test balancer, which while twice the price, helped out significantly.
The shop noticed some cupping on the left tires & suggested either alignment or bad shocks as the cause. Since I had ~24k miles on the L-Tuned suspension kit, I knew it wasn't the shocks, so I scheduled an alignment.
They immediately discovered a bad ball-joint on the left front wheel. The wheel could be moved up & down ~1/4 before moving the suspension components. Logically, that would seem to be the cause of my vibration if not wear.
With only 53k miles on the car, would that be a 'common' problem?
Seems unusual....
They said the other(s) were fine.
I ordered the part from Lexus & will have the shop install when it arrives & then perform an alaignment.
02-27-04, 12:57 PM
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Originally posted by Pearlpower
Common problem. Lexus introduced an upgraded balljoint to help eliminate the sensitive wheel vibration. Check with the dealer to see if your car requirs BOTH or if your car came with them already and replacing one will do.
Common problem. Lexus introduced an upgraded balljoint to help eliminate the sensitive wheel vibration. Check with the dealer to see if your car requirs BOTH or if your car came with them already and replacing one will do.
03-03-04, 04:26 PM
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Excellent - thank you for the information!
I ordered only 1 since the shop said the other(s) were fine. As far as asking my local dealer for advice, forget it. Lexus of Pleasanton stinks. When I went to order the part, I stood at the empty parts counter patiently waiting while the parts guy blabbed on the phone incessantly & did a myriad of little tasks without even acknowledging me until I finally got pissed and said something.
I am very hopeful this will alleviate the vibration.
I ordered only 1 since the shop said the other(s) were fine. As far as asking my local dealer for advice, forget it. Lexus of Pleasanton stinks. When I went to order the part, I stood at the empty parts counter patiently waiting while the parts guy blabbed on the phone incessantly & did a myriad of little tasks without even acknowledging me until I finally got pissed and said something.
I am very hopeful this will alleviate the vibration.
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